3-Ingredient Raffaello Coconut Balls
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These homemade Raffaello coconut balls make the perfect edible gift for your loved ones. They are no bake and ready in 15 minutes!
If you are looking for last-minute Christmas desserts, this is the best recipe to make.
Why should you make these coconut balls?
Easy recipe – Only a few ingredients and basic tools are all you need to make them.
Quick prep – 15 minutes, 15 candies!
Great for gift giving – Whether it is for Christmas, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day or any other occasion, they look great in a nice box.
Simple – They are so simple you can easily make them with kids!
This is a simplified recipe for Raffaello coconut truffles that you can buy in stores.
How to make Raffaello coconut balls
Ingredients:
- Desiccated coconut
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Almonds – or hazelnuts
Tools:
- Mixing bowl & spoon – or spatula or anything to bring the mixture together. A deep soup bowl will also work.
- Plate – or a bowl for rolling the balls in coconut. You will also need one for the ready-made coconut truffles that you will put in the fridge.
The process:
Coconut and condensed milk are combined together. This takes less than a minute. Now all you have to do is take a nut and cover it with the coconut mixture.
It will be sticky but that’s how it should be so no panic. At last coat each ball in some extra coconut. This will give the balls a perfect look and stop them from being sticky.
Note: Please see the printable recipe card as well as a step-by-step video at the bottom of this post.
Expert tips:
- If you feel like the mixture is too dry, add more condensed milk. If it’s too thin, add more coconut. I suggest trying to roll one or two balls to see.
- The mixture is sticky and you might feel like it’s sticking to your hands rather than to the nut. The important thing is to press the mixture with hazelnut a few times before rolling it into a ball. Also, you can coat your hands with some coconut to reduce the sticking a bit.
- These coconut truffles will soften at room temperature.
- Why not make homemade Irish cream to go with them? You can turn this into a gift as well!
Frequently asked questions:
The store-bought Raffaello coconut balls have almonds inside. If you want to be as authentic as possible, use those. I like using hazelnuts for their round shape which makes rolling the balls easier.
Desiccated coconut is finely grated and quite dry while shredded coconut has longer strands and contains more moisture.
They will last for several days when stored in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag in the fridge.
More dessert truffle recipes you might like:
If you like easy homemade desserts, you will love this recipe! If you give it a go, let me know. I would like to hear from you.
This is an old post that has been recently updated with useful tips and more detailed recipe card.
Watch how to make it
3-Ingredient Raffaello Coconut Balls
Ingredients
- 1½ cups desiccated coconut (135 grams), see note 1
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk (160 milliliters)
- 15 hazelnuts or almonds, see note 2
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine 1 cup coconut with condensed milk until you get a sticky mixture.
- Take 1 nut, coat it with the coconut mixture and roll into a ball. Repeat until you have used all the mixture (see note 4).
- Roll each ball in the remaining coconut and chill in the fridge before serving.
Notes
- Desiccated coconut is finer and dryer than shredded coconut. It is the better option for this recipe, but you could use shredded coconut if necessary.
- Make sure to buy blanched nuts. Blanched nuts have their skin already removed.
- You should get about 14-15 truffles.
- These truffles are quite rich, so it is better to use less mixture and roll them smaller rather than bigger.
These look delicious! Can’t wait to try. I have a question, though. I know this says this recipe makes 14 coconut balls and that there are 96 calories per serving, but what constitutes a serving? Is it one coconut ball?
Hi Jammie. Yes, the calorie count is per 1 ball.
Hi. If I use the almonds instead of hazelnuts. Should they be peeled and toasted.
Hi Hawa, it will depend on your preference – I would personally use the peeled ones without toasting them. Hope this helps.
These are missing two key ingredients in authentic rafaello which are white chocolate and the wafer crust inside the ball. Other than that they look good and easy to make.
Hey Joe. Yes, you are right. These Rafaello balls are just a simplified version of the original. It would be pretty challenging to make the wafer crust at home. But if you have any ideas, let me know and I will give it a try :)!
I wonder if the mixture would stick to chocolate covered almonds?
Kristin, I think it should work :) Like the idea of using almonds covered in chocolate! If you give it a go, please let me know!
Looks so delectable. I might be looking right at it but do you use unsweetened coconut and unsweetened condensed milk?
Hi Mickey. Sorry about the confusion. I used unsweetened coconut and sweetened condensed milk :)
Melt some chocolate chips or chocolate candy coating and dip them too.
Yes, that’s an option as well :)
How can I make the coconut my self. Can’t find any at the stores
I am afraid I won’t be able to help you here. I always buy shredded coconut from a shop.
My step-grandmother used to make these Raffaellos when I was little, they were my favorite dessert… I haven’t had any in more than 20 years, I should make them myself.
You definitely should :)!
I. WANT. No… I NEED these!!
:) There is one simple solution to this: MAKE these! :) :)
These might just be on my afternoon to-do list! They sound delicious!
Thanks, Jenn!
These are such a cute little treat and homemade is the best way to go! Only 3 ingredients too, fabulous!
Thanks, Erren! :)
The perfect healthy treat for Easter!
These look delicious and only three ingredients, yes! I m going to have to try these for sure. Thank you for sharing.
Let me know what you think! :)
Wow! I have to try to make it already for occasion.its good idea..kids would love it so much..i love it..thanks a lot for sharing this recipe..
You are welcome!
How fun! My kids would absolutely love making these. They sound incredible with that condensed milk and coconut coating.
Yes, it’s a great baking project for kids! They will definitely love making these!